Published in June 2011

Wines, Spirits and Beers published in the June 2011 issue of Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

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Domaine Huët 2009 Cuvée Constance 500ml Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $159

Even more concentrated than Huët’s superb 2009 Première Trie, this is outstanding. It has both great concentration and elegance. The wine is touched by botrytis, while retaining freshness. Made from ripe, just shrivelling grapes, this is sweet Vouvray at its magnificent best. — R.V. (6/1/2011)

points

Venge 2008 Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Oakville)

Price $125

An absolute joy and triumph. Just superb, showcasing the best of Oakville. Perfect tannins, as pure as velvet and sweet, and perfect oak, too, with beautifully applied char and wood spice. That the oak is 100% new is in keeping with the wine’s volumetrics. The wine’s flavors are a profound, heady expression of blackberries, blueberries, cassis and dark, barely… — S.H. (6/1/2011)

points

Araujo 2007 Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)

Price $275

Profoundly beautiful aroma on this Cab, a perfect union of oaky char and vanilla with ripe blackberries and cassis. Hard to exaggerate the beauty. Powerful, yet never pushy, with classic Napa balance. Rich, sweet, almost meaty, with massive tannins that are refined and smooth. Very great density and weight. Really defines the vineyard, and should age effortlessly… — S.H. (6/1/2011)

points

Dolce 2006 Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc (Napa Valley)

Price $85

With this wine, Dolce cements its status as California’s most consistently great dessert wine. This year’s blend is 80% Sémillon and 20% Sauvignon Blanc, and the grapes were infected with the botrytis, resulting in the fantastic sweetness. Devastating in apricot, orange, pear, honey, vanilla and créme brûlée flavors, in an unctuous, viscous texture, with… — S.H. (6/1/2011)

points

Domaine Huët 2010 Le Mont Première Trie Moelleux Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)

Cellar Selection
Online Exclusive

Price $69

This will be a wonderful wine. Already, it is fine, with lovely acidity, bright and richly sweet at the same time. Yellow fruits mingle with honey, pear, almonds and the intense sweetness of botrytis. — R.V. (6/1/2011)

points

Domaine Huët 2009 Clos du Bourg Première Trie Moelleux Chenin Blanc (Vouvray)

Online Exclusive

Price $69

A majestic, magisterial wine, powered by superripe fruit as well as honey and a gorgeous ripeness. With years ahead of it, this will be superb. — R.V. (6/1/2011)

points

Donelan 2008 Richards Family Vineyard Syrah (Sonoma Valley)

Price $90

This is not only one of the best Syrahs of the vintage, it’s easily the greatest Syrah ever produced from Sonoma Valley. Stuns with its soft, complex, black and blue berry, teriaki beef, black pepper and sandalwood flavors. The depth is unbelievable, the length impressive. Clearly a first growth Syrah, and should develop bottle complexity for the next six years… — S.H. (6/1/2011)

points

Staglin 2007 INEO Red (Napa Valley)

Cellar Selection

Price $250

Here’s a young, strong, vigorous wine that needs cellar time. It’s absolutely dry, and hits the palate with numbing tannins. But the blackberry, cassis and cedar flavors are intense and concentrated. Earns its high score by the wonderful combination of elegance and potency. Hold until after 2015. — S.H. (6/1/2011)

2009 Monte Pinadillo Ciranza

Black fruit, raisin and minerally aromas combine to create a formidable…

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